Novena for the New Year

O MOST amiable Redeemer! Whose infinite love for man far exceeded Thy corporal strength in the crib of Bethlehem, receive our fervent adorations and most ardent thanksgiving for the first effusion of that adorable blood which Thou didst afterwards shed to the last drop for us on the cross. Oh, how ardently must Thou have desired our salvation, since Thou didst so soon begin to suffer for us! How much must Thou have wished for our confidence, since Thou didst so early assume that name which, above all names, is best calculated to render Thee amiable in our eyes and dear to our hearts. O Jesus! our infant, but most powerful Saviour! we now feel that Thou art Our Redeemer, and therefore most confidently approach Thy crib, to represent to Thee all our wants, and in particular to implore, by Thy adorable infancy, by Thy painful circumcision, and above all by Thy sacred name, which is the joy of heaven, the terror of hell, the consolation of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners, that Thou wouldst grant us the intentions of this novena. Pardon us, O adorable Jesus, all our negligences, tepidity, and sloth in Thy divine service during the past year, and mercifully deign to accept the oblation which we now make of every day, hour, and moment of the year we commence. Give efficacy by Thy precious blood to the resolutions we now make, of living from this moment in the manner we should wish to have done when time shall be about to close for ever for us. We fervently offer Thee each and every action of this year, in unison with the adorable actions of Thy mortal life: we offer Thee our intentions and every movement of body and soul, (most solemnly renouncing every motive but Thy love); the most perfect obedience to Thy holy will, and ardent zeal for Thy glory. O merciful Jesus! by the helplessness of infancy, to which Thou didst descend for our sakes, strengthen our weakness and fortify our resolutions never more to offend Thee. By the silence of childhood, which Thou wouldst not break, though Thou wert the uncreated Word of God, grant us that spirit of silence, recollection, and prayer which will best enable us to acquire the other virtues of our holy state. May the most ardent love so deeply imprint Thy saving name on our hearts that it may be always in our minds, frequently on our lips, that it may be our defence in temptation, our refuge in danger, and at length our certain passport to a happy eternity.